The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-21
Sec Comrade Taylors adv. on page 5.
WHO SET THE FIRE?
A COmrade Says Wheelcr's Rebel Cavalry Started
the Big BlaEe at Columhla

the Big Blaze at Columbia.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Several years
ago the question of who was responsible for the
burning Of the city of Columbia, S. c., was
UNE. As l was living on the frontier and had
few opportunities of getting the papers | never
learned what the verdict was at that time. In
a recent issue COmrade BOswOrth opens the ball
again, and settles two things to his own salts
faction-whO first planted the flag on the Cap
itOl of South Carolina, and who was responsible
for the burning of the city. Now. | shall not
take exception TO either, although was in the
city long while before the 18th Iowa or any
ether regiment Of Shermans army, having been
for months an honored guest of the Southern
COnfederacy and living on its bounty. Com
rade BoswOrth has stirred up big hornets
nest over the flag question, but / propose to
help him out on the fire business / will not
be positive as 10 dates, for the reason that at
this late day do not remember them, and if
i did j would be afraid TO give them for fear
that some of my comrades would contradict it
and provoke discussion that would rival De
GreSs's battery.
In February, 1865, myself with several hun
dred other Yankee officers were prisoners of
war in the city Of Columbia The news Of
Sherman's triumphant march from Charleston
was heralded from day to day through our
prison camp. About the middle Of the month
the thunder Of his cannon was heard across the
Congaree River, and hurried preparations were
made for the removal of the prisoners to place
Of greater safety farther North. Several train
loads were sent Off that day, leaving about a
hundred Of the halt lame and lazy" in camp
that night. Early next morning orders came
for US TO get ready to march to the depot. We
weTo soon hurried out of the yard on our way
TO the cars. l being one of the lame was conl-
PEELED TO aid my locOmotiOn with crutch and
stick, and before we had gone far was in the
rear OF the column, being kindly assisted along
by the hayOuots Of the guards. j entered a de-
murrer TO any such illegal proceedings, which
was quickly oyerruled by my stern judges, who
enlivened the way by singing out, Get along
there, dog on you; you want the DANCED Yam
KEGS TO git us all, don't your"
Since Gen. Rosser has so kindly forgiven me
] am now ready to confess that did want the
| Yankees 10 get us all, more especially myself.
was willing 10 part with my old friends in
| gray. The faces OF those who had stuck to me
closer than brother for nearly year had no
charms for me. j was willing to trust myself
with the blue, although they were strangers to
| me.
| During our march to the depot small squads
Of butternut horse soldiers were charging
/ through the streets who we were informed
were Wheelers Cavalry. Their only object in
life seemed 70 be TO find some hole big enough
to crawl into. | have wondered since reading
| Comrade BoSwOTths article If these were not
the same cavalry that were routed by the gal
liant little squad from the 18th Iowa.
| When near the depot we passed a long row OF
| cotton bales piled against building and ex-
tending hundred or more feet from it. Near
the building the pile was eight or ten bales
high, getting lower as it extended down the
street, until it was only bale or two high. AS
we neared the pile we noticed smoke rising
from it. and as we passed around it we saw il
was burning more than one-third of the length
Of the pile. On making inquiries about it we
were informed that Wheeler's Cavalry set il on
fire TO keep il from the Yankees. At that time
there were no Yankee soldiers in that part OF
the city except our squad of prisoners, and am
satisfied that none of us set the fire. After get
ting aboard of the ears we were run out short
distance from the depot, where we remained
about 20 minutes in plain sight of the fire.
rebel officer rode down the street and after q
hurried consultation with the conductor the
train pulled out and we regretfully left the
city of Columbia behind without once getting Q
glimpse OF Shermsn's gallant army
Now, Comrade Bosworth, you have the weight
Of my testimony TO add to yours, which ought
to settle the matter forever; but if this is moi
enough, some of the DANCED Yanks" who wer,
with me at the time will probably be heard
from.-GEoRGE A. MANNING, Occur dAlene
Idaho.